Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Other We need to have a discussion of the ergonomics of a flat sided iPhone 12.
- Thread starter VertPin
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I use a case on my 7 to make it less likely to drop. I never used a case on my 5 or 4 or Nokia.
Square edges give greater internal volume so more room for battery.
23andme says I’m 98% Neanderthal.
Thinking back to the transition from iP3G to iP4, the squared edges felt nice and I had zero issues with that transition. Those were obviously much smaller devices then.
However, when I went from the iP4S to the iP6+, I remember thinking then that I wished it had squared edges. The rounded edges just didn’t have as “secure” of a feel in my hand, but that could also be that the iP6+ was massive compared to the iP4S.
I’ve since stepped down from the + size though; the iPX size has been a perfect compromise for me.
The design change is “exciting,” in that it’s not the same design we’ve had since 2014, but it’s literally just going back to something we’ve done before. Exciting, but trivial. Surely the next “daring” move will be to reintroduce the “white” iPhone in 2021....
It will be “gorgeous!”
However, when I went from the iP4S to the iP6+, I remember thinking then that I wished it had squared edges. The rounded edges just didn’t have as “secure” of a feel in my hand, but that could also be that the iP6+ was massive compared to the iP4S.
I’ve since stepped down from the + size though; the iPX size has been a perfect compromise for me.
The design change is “exciting,” in that it’s not the same design we’ve had since 2014, but it’s literally just going back to something we’ve done before. Exciting, but trivial. Surely the next “daring” move will be to reintroduce the “white” iPhone in 2021....
It will be “gorgeous!”
I always hated the flat sides with a passion. I always thought the 6 was sooo much more comfortable to hold. Especially with the 2.5D glass as well. I couldn't imagine having another phone like the 5S. I used both the 5S and 6 in their respective leather cases most of the time but even there I found the 6 much more comfortable. I had a 4 too and I used it always with a case because of the 'death grip', though with today's phones it's pretty much impossible to touch both the top and bottom antenna bands at the same time 
But today I have a Samsung S8 and I love the curved screen as well. Most people hate it as it makes it more fragile (though I'm pretty careful). I just love the feel of it, it makes it less 'device-ish' and more 'natural' if you know what I mean.
But today I have a Samsung S8 and I love the curved screen as well. Most people hate it as it makes it more fragile (though I'm pretty careful). I just love the feel of it, it makes it less 'device-ish' and more 'natural' if you know what I mean.
I loved the 3GS, it is my all-time favorite phone. I hated the 4, and especially the 5.
I sent the 11” iPad Pro back for several reasons (and got an iPad Air 3 instead) of which one was I couldn’t deal with the hideous edges.
I sent the 11” iPad Pro back for several reasons (and got an iPad Air 3 instead) of which one was I couldn’t deal with the hideous edges.
I’ve got nothing against a flat edge, they were great on my 4S and 5S, nice small phones.. But they would have been out of place on my 7 and definitely on my xs max. It’s a wide phone, flat edges would turn it into something that would make your hand cramp. Maybe not so much on the 7 given how small it is to my max.. my 7 almost feels like a 5S again lol.
I think the 5S was the iPhone I hated. I loved the 5C, it was my first iPhone. I know the 2016 SE I hated it as well.
So I'd be in the rounded corner crowd right? I personally really like this 11 Pro Max. It was easy to adjust to coming from a 7 Plus honestly.
So I'd be in the rounded corner crowd right? I personally really like this 11 Pro Max. It was easy to adjust to coming from a 7 Plus honestly.
That’s interesting, I’m basically the opposite. I like the feeling of “device-ish” and my phone feeling more like an “unnatural“ techy device. I’ve been fine with the look of my iPhone X the past 2.5 years, but love the look of the current iPP’s and look forward to it being that look in the iP12s. Just goes to show you how much it’s personal preference!
I have used sony xperia z1 compact back then, it wasn’t a big phone, it has almost flat edges and it hurted my hand after 15-20 minutes of use. I prefer the curved edges like the current iphone design. If we were to go back to flat edges, a device as small as the original iPhone SE is more suitable with this flat edges design.
[automerge]1589597441[/automerge]
4 is easier to hold because it’s smaller, not because it has flat edges. The original iphone, 3g and 3gs are much easier to hold than the 4 because it’s small and it has curved edges that don’t hurt our hand.
[automerge]1589597441[/automerge]
4 is easier to hold because it’s smaller, not because it has flat edges. The original iphone, 3g and 3gs are much easier to hold than the 4 because it’s small and it has curved edges that don’t hurt our hand.
If an iPhone 4 hurts your hand you’re holding it too tight
Honestly, I miss the form-factor of my iPhone 3G. It felt like a large pebble and you could use your thumb to effortlessly get from the top to the bottom of the screen. If they could bring that back with no bezels, just edge to edge screen in all 4 directions, that would be my ideal iPhone.
'My only point was that the shape of an iPhone is irrelevant to the 95% of the population who keeps their phone in a case.'
At that time Apple had produced wonderfully handy leather cases...
And... for timelapse I sometimes had the opportunity to place the device on these surfaces without needing a tripod.
Furthermore, everyone knows that flat panel Mini-LED technology without bezel does not work with curved edges.
Therefore, for the benefit of us, geometry will return to the way it was. I am happy with that.
Last edited:
It's nice to be able to stand your phone up on its edge if you want to. Other than that? I think it's mostly just a visual preference.
This has been one of my biggest gripes since moving to the curved edged chassis. I don’t travel with tripods always & have missed multiple opportunities for shooting a solid time lapse when out and about. I just gave up shooting time lapse videos. Sincerely hope the new devices are as balanced as the old ones used to be.
Last edited:
I don’t use cases, just a soft pouch. If you’re careful with your expensive devices they’ll stay looking good.
I drop my iPhone at least once a day. My kids take it to play apps on too. I couldn’t go case-less even if I wanted to. I’d be chucking it down a drain and claiming on my insurance within a day lol. I think a case improves the design too from a personal point of view.
Problem is, ever since the power button moved from the top to the right side, there is no (long) side you could place it on. This also renders the integrated spirit level useless somehow. As does the camera bump.
You got a point there. Completely forgot about the uneven sides now. Got excited for no reason there. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
That's honestly the thing that bothers me the most regarding the design from the iPhone 6 onwards.
I used to use the spirit level quite often, because it was handy. Also, I used to place my 4S/5S on its right side to take or watch videos.